Are You Ready for the Next Debate?

You may think the debates are over, but you would be wrong. There will be at least one more, but it is not likely to get as much coverage as the last three.
A while ago, we reported on a poll that showed the voters wanted the third party candidates to be included in the debates. Well, they are about to get their wish, sort of. There is an organization, Free and Equal.Org, that firmly believes in the rights of third party candidates to get their opinions heard. They actually encourage third party candidacy. Any way, they are sponsoring a debate this coming Sunday night and have invited 6 Presidential candidates.

The chances of all 6 showing up are slim to none. First of all, the invitations have just gone out. That does not leave the candidates much time to change their schedules. They really do not expect Obama and McCain to show up, but are very hopeful for the other 4.

Those are Ralph Nader, Cynthia McKinney, Chuck Baldwin and Bob Barr. Nader is an independent who actually made it on to the ballot in a total of 45 states. Cynthia McKinney is the candidate of the Green Party and is on the ballot in 35 states. Chuck Baldwin has been getting a lot of attention ever since Ron Paul choose to support him instead of John McCain or Bob Barr. Baldwin is the Constitution Party candidate and is on the ballot in 35 states. Bob Barr is by far the most well known of the third party and independent candidates, but he has made it perfectly clear in the past that he would not participate in a debate like this. He just wants to go head to head with Nader, so it is doubtful that he will show up.

According to their web site, the debate will be held on Sunday Oct 19th from 8 to 10 PM at Columbia University in New York and it will be covered by C Span. So, if your Sunday night is free, you have a chance to see something very unusual.

It will be interesting to see just how much attention this one gets. They would get a lot more if Obama, McCain and Barr were to show up, but Obama and McCain already have their schedules that were set up way in advance. However, if they do get a good response, they have promised more of the same in the last 2 weeks of the campaign and if this one does get attention, they might be able to get a better turn out.